Naturalization records from the National Archives - Southwest Region. Includes the Louisiana Index to Certificates 1831-1906. This collection is being published as images become available.

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While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

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The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

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The records cover the years 1831 to 1991.

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Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

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== Record Description ==

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No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.;

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The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

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Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship.&nbsp;

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For an alphabetical list of names currently published in this collection, select the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/index.php?title=Louisiana,_Naturalization_Records_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)&action=edit Browse].

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=== Citation for This Collection ===

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The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.<br>

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Naturalization records from the National Archives - Southwest Region. Includes the Louisana Index to Certificates 1831-1906. This collection is being published as images become available.

</gallery> The information given for each petition includes the following:

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*Name of the petitioner

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*Full name of petitioner

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*Residence

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*Current address

*Country of birth

*Country of birth

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*Place and date of arrival

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*Date and place of arrival

*Names of two witnesses

*Names of two witnesses

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*Date of petition

*Petition number

*Petition number

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*Date of petition

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*Other facts of reacord

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*Volume and page number of the petition

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*Volume and page number of petition

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<br>Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions may include any of the following:

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Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions may include any of the following:

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*Name of the immigrant

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*Name of immigrant

*Country of birth

*Country of birth

*Arrival date

*Arrival date

Line 50:

Line 71:

== How to Use the Record ==

== How to Use the Record ==

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To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br>⇒ Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page<br>⇒ Select the "Surname Range" category which takes you to the images.

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Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Begin your search by finding your ancestors in the index. Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Check the index for the surname and then the given name. You may need to look at many cards to find the one you are seeking. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Begin your search by finding your ancestors in the index. Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Check the index for the surname and then the given name. You may need to look at many cards to find the one you are seeking. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Line 59:

Line 84:

*The ancestor’s residence

*The ancestor’s residence

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<br>If you do not know this information, check the 1900 or 1910 census, then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

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If you do not know this information, check the 1900 or 1910 census, then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

Use the locator information found in the index (such as name of court, page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

Use the locator information found in the index (such as name of court, page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

Line 72:

Line 97:

*Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests

*Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests

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<br>You may also find these tips helpful:

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You may also find these tips helpful:

*Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.

*Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.

Line 81:

Line 106:

*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.

*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.

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<br>If you do not find the name you are looking for, try the following:

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If you do not find the name you are looking for, try the following:

*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.

*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.

*Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year.

*Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year.

*Search the indexes of nearby counties.

*Search the indexes of nearby counties.

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== Record History ==

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The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

−

−

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

−

−

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.

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=== Why the Record Was Created ===

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Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship.

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=== Record Reliability ===

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The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

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A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: [[How to Cite FamilySearch Collections]].

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A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article [[Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections]].

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==== Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection ====

The Following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. &nbsp;It may include author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Record Description

Naturalization records from the National Archives - Southwest Region. Includes the Louisiana Index to Certificates 1831-1906. This collection is being published as images become available.

While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.;

The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship.

For an alphabetical list of names currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions may include any of the following:

Name of immigrant

Country of birth

Arrival date

Date of Declaration of Intent or Naturalization

Names of witnesses

Signature of judge or court official

Birth date

Birthplace

Age

Race

Last foreign residence

Current residence

Arrival place

Marital status

Name of spouse

Maiden name of wife

Birth date of spouse

Residence of spouse

How to Use the Record

To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:⇒ Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page⇒ Select the "Surname Range" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Begin your search by finding your ancestors in the index. Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Check the index for the surname and then the given name. You may need to look at many cards to find the one you are seeking. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

When searching the index it is helpful to know the following:

The full name of your ancestor

The approximate immigration and naturalization dates

The ancestor’s residence

If you do not know this information, check the 1900 or 1910 census, then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

Use the locator information found in the index (such as name of court, page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.

For example, you can use naturalization records to:

Learn an immigrant’s place of origin

Confirm their date of arrival

Learn foreign and “Americanized” names

Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests

You may also find these tips helpful:

Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.

An immigrant may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved. Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process.

If your ancestor had a common name, be sure to look at all the entries for a name before you decide which is correct.

Continue to search the naturalization records to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have naturalized in the same area or nearby.

The witnesses named on naturalization records may have been older relatives of the person in the naturalization process. Search for their naturalizations.

You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.

If you do not find the name you are looking for, try the following:

Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.

Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year.

Search the indexes of nearby counties.

Related Websites

Related Wiki Articles

Contributions to This Article

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. We are looking for additional information that will help readers understand the topic and better use the available records. We also need translations for collection titles and images in articles about records written in languages other than English. For specific needs, please visit WikiProject FamilySearch Records.

Please follow these guidelines as you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.